Are Nearly 60% of Americans Today Really in Danger of Hunger? (You’d Be Surprised)

The reality may be worse than we thought. Here at Olean Food Pantry, we’ve kept track of our client numbers for years. Directly witnessing a MORE THAN DOUBLING in pantry visitors since 2020 has painted a grim picture of hunger in our communities. 

Hunger statistics are hard to pin down almost anywhere. Different government agencies and research groups report varying degrees of poverty and food insecurity. But for the most part, the numbers are typically pretty close – roughly 1 in 4 in Western New York, according to the NYS Department of Health, and about 47 million Americans total, according to Feeding America.  

The most common reports in recent years indicate about 13.5% of U.S. households experience food insecurity. But we’ve stumbled across another report that says the true figure may be dramatically higher. The organization Invisible People says roughly 59% of Americans are just one missed paycheck from homelessness and hunger.

59%! 

If that’s true, we have more work ahead of us than ever before to end food insecurity.

A Closer Look: How Many Americans are in Danger of Food Insecurity?

Hunger is often thought of as an issue affecting only the poorest of the poor. It’s easy to assume that food insecurity is a problem for people experiencing homelessness or those who are unemployed. 

But what of the nearly 60% of Americans who are reportedly just one paycheck away from experiencing hunger firsthand?

It sounds extreme, doesn’t it? But these recent financial studies and reports have uncovered a sobering reality: a vast portion of working-class Americans are walking a financial tightrope, hovering just above food insecurity and poverty. A sudden job loss, medical emergency or even an unexpected car repair could be all it takes to push them over the edge.

So, let’s take a closer look at why hunger is growing in America, what’s driving food insecurity, and what can be done to help.

Food Insecurity: It’s Not Just About Job Loss Anymore

Traditionally, we’ve been conditioned to believe that hunger and poverty go hand in hand with unemployment. If someone is struggling to put food on the table, we assume it’s because they don’t have a job. But today, millions of working Americans — people and families with full-time jobs and even part-time work on the side — are food insecure.

How is that possible? Here’s the reality:

• Wages have stagnated for decades while the cost of living, particularly food and housing, has skyrocketed.
• Food costs have surged in recent years due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and other economic factors.
• Housing expenses consume a larger share of household income than ever before, leaving less money for food and other essentials.
• Government benefits, like pandemic-era food and housing assistance, have expired, leaving many without a safety net.

Working people and job seekers can still be hungry—not because they’re not working hard enough, but because their paychecks no longer stretch far enough to cover basic needs.

Western New York, like many other rural and urban areas, is no exception. Olean Food Pantry has witnessed a surge in demand, with record numbers of individuals and families seeking assistance on distribution days. These aren’t just the stereotypical “poor” — they’re seniors on fixed incomes, single parents trying to raise their children, and middle-class families who never expected to need help.

Who Is Most At Risk of Hunger?

While food insecurity touches every community, certain groups are disproportionately affected:

• Low-wage workers – Despite being employed, people earning minimum wage (or slightly above) often struggle to afford rent, utilities, transportation, and food.
• Single parents – Juggling the costs of childcare, housing and food on one income makes single parents one of the most vulnerable groups.
• Senior citizens on fixed incomes – Many elderly Americans are forced to choose between buying groceries and affording life-saving medications.
• People with disabilities – Physical limitations, medical costs and limited employment opportunities make people with disabilities more likely to experience hunger.
• Communities of color – Due to systemic barriers, Black and Hispanic households are twice as likely to be food insecure as white households.
• People living in “food deserts” – Many rural and urban communities lack access to affordable, nutritious food, making it even harder to eat well on a limited budget.

Food insecurity is not just about not having enough food. It’s also about not having the right kind of food. Many low-income families are forced to buy highly processed, calorie-dense foods because fresh produce and protein-rich options are either too expensive or unavailable in their area.

The Impossible Trade-offs: Rent, Healthcare or Food?

For households teetering on the brink of poverty, food (or at least healthy food) is often the first thing to go. When budgets are tight, rent and utilities must be paid first. Otherwise, families risk eviction or losing access to heat, water or electricity.

Many low-income households spend 32.6% of their income on food. That’s an eye-popping percentage that leaves little room for unexpected expenses. When a financial emergency arises, families must make impossible choices:

• Buy groceries or pay the rent?
• Refill a prescription or put food on the table?
• Pay the heating bill or buy diapers?

This vicious cycle of poverty and food insecurity affects both adults and children. Kids who don’t get enough nutritious food struggle to focus in school, leading to long-term developmental and educational setbacks. Adults who skip meals often experience chronic health issues, heightening their financial strain due to medical bills.

The Time to Act Is Now to Help People in Danger of Hunger

The next time you walk into a grocery store and feel sticker shock at the rising prices, imagine what it’s like for someone who doesn’t know how they’ll pay for their next meal.

The reality is that hunger in Western New York is worsening — but it doesn’t have to. If nearly 60% of Americans are one paycheck away from food insecurity, it means that more people than ever need our help.

At Olean Food Pantry, we see the real faces of hunger every day. We can change the story — but we need your help. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation today!